Sapphire Damsel
Pomacentrus pavo
Also known as Pavo Damsel, Peacock Damselfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.3 in (8.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal (110 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific lagoons
- Family
- Pomacentridae
Overview
Among the calmer damselfish, hardy enough for a first marine tank and content in a small shoal. It eats flake, pellet, and frozen foods plus some algae-based food, and it is completely safe with corals and invertebrates. Mild squabbles happen inside a group, so provide enough rock for every fish to claim a spot.
In the wild
Lives in lagoons, on sheltered reef flats, and around isolated coral heads across the Indo-Pacific, often with a small group holding station over one coral outcrop. It stays near cover but feeds up in the water. Recreate that with scattered rockwork, gentle flow, and open water above.
Good to know
Pomacentrus pavo is a damselfish in the family Pomacentridae, described by Bloch in 1787, and it grows to about 8.5 cm. The blue-green body is marked with fine dark scale edges and a yellow forked tail. It spawns like a typical damsel, with demersal eggs guarded by the male, and it is produced by commercial captive breeders.
Did you know
Its species name is Latin for peacock, and the color earns it: the body flashes from deep sapphire to teal green as the fish turns through the light.
Common questions
What size tank does a Sapphire Damsel need?
A Sapphire Damsel needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Sapphire Damsel need?
Sapphire Damsel are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big do Sapphire Damsel get?
An adult Sapphire Damsel reaches about 3.3 in (8.5 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Saltwater fish · Beginner fish · Reef-safe fish · Beginner saltwater fish
Keeping Sapphire Damsel?
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Related species
Lemon Damsel
Pomacentrus moluccensisSaltwater3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Allen's Damsel
Pomacentrus alleniSaltwater2.4 in (6 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Neon Damselfish
Pomacentrus coelestisSaltwater3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Barberi Clownfish
Amphiprion barberiSaltwater3.5 in (9 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Starck's Damsel
Chrysiptera starckiSaltwater3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellarisSaltwater3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)